Benign Breast Diseases in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria: A Retrospective Review of One Hundred and Thirty Five (135) Cases

Abstract

Benign Breast Disease (BBDs) encompasses a diverse group of lesions that may present with a wide range of symptoms or may be detected as incidental microscopic findings. We presented a retrospective review of 249 cases of histopathologically diagnosed breast lesions seen at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria between October, 2012 and January, 2017. BBDs accounted for 135 (54%) of all breast biopsies seen. Fibroadenoma was the commonest histological lesion comprising 74 (54.1%) of cases and with a peak age of incidence at 20-29 years. This was followed by fibrocystic changes (FCCs) with 26.3% of cases and with similar peak incidence age of 20-29 years. Other less common lesions including inflammatory lesions, fibroadenoma with fibrocystic change, fat necrosis, phylloides tumour, breast abscess, tubular adenoma, atypical hyperplasia, granular cell tumor and gynecomastia all together accounted for the remaining 19.9%. Benign breast diseases, a diverse group of lesions constitute the vast majority of breast lesions in Makurdi .With increase advocacy, awareness and health education coupled with use of mammography and needle biopsies, its diagnosis can be established.